Storm water inspections are made as part of the City's routine maintenance plan and after every storm event. The Street Department is responsible for removing excessive debris that obstructs major culverts that are under our streets.

The term "stormwater" refers to surface water that flows across the land into creeks, rivers, and lakes. Surface water is precious resource, especially in Texas because it is the primary water supply for most cities. Our stormwater in Sanger will eventually enter into water supplies for other cities who provide drinking water to 5.3 million people.

STORMWATER MANAGEMENT

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates stormwater runoff through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). The EPA authorized the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to implement the NPDES stormwater permitting program. TCEQ is responsible for issuing permits and performing compliance and enforcement activities as the NPDES permitting authority in Texas.

TCEQ developed a storm water program to significantly reduce the pollutants discharged from cities and urban areas. The City of Sanger is categorized in Phase II of the program being a municipality with less than 100,000 citizens.

The program is currently underway and is designed to reduce the discharge of pollutants to the maximum extent practicable, protect the water quality, effectively prohibit illicit discharges to the system, and to satisfy the appropriate water quality requirements of the Clean Water Act.

Stormwater Management also oversees the implementation of and adherence to best Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans and compliance of the City's Storm Water Management Policies.

Streams and creeks feed into rivers, lakes and the ocean. We all drink water, so we are all affected when our water is polluted. When water treatment costs rise, the price of drinking water goes up. If you like to fish, swim or boat, you may have heard or been affected by advisories warning you not swim, fish or boat in certain areas because of unhealthy water or too much algae.

When natural materials such as yard trimmings break down, oxygen is drawn from the water. In a natural setting the amount of this debris is limited to the leaves of those plants and trees bordering creeks. In an urban setting, leaves and dirt on paved areas throughout the entire city are washed into creeks. A lot of natural debris can ruin the natural balance of the creeks and harm fish.

In addition, pesticides, oil leaked onto roads and driveways and other pollutants are scoured from all of the paved surfaces throughout the city and washed directly into creeks and ultimately our drinking water.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Storm water pollution can be controlled if everyone plays a part in preventing these substances from entering the storm drain inlets in the streets where they live and work.

You can help prevent storm water pollution by:

Picking up after your pets

Avoid blowing leaves and grass clippings onto sidewalks and streets

Applying fertilizer, herbicides and pesticides when rain is not expected, applied at appropriate rates or consider organic fertilizer

Picking up litter

Disposing of hazardous chemicals properly

Allowing pool/spa water to dechlorinate for 3 days before discharging

Vegetate or mulch bare soil and protect dirt piles from washing away

Trash and litter should not be left outside where it can be moved by wind or water